Bizaster, available in both English and Spanish for Android and iOS, assists businesses to better prepare themselves, respond to a disaster and jump-start operations post-disaster. Resources in the app include risk assessments, customizable checklists, and disaster simulations.

“Entrepreneurs take on many risks in starting and growing their business. In the event of a disaster or business interruption, however, it makes business sense to mitigate these risks,” said Brian Van Hook, associate director of the SBDC at FIU. “Our hope is that in making disaster preparedness resources more user-friendly and accessible, we can help more Miami-Dade businesses survive disasters.”

According to the Institute for Business and Home Safety, disasters could cost small businesses about $3,000 per day. For large companies such as Walmart or Sony, this dollar amount is not a major concern. However, for small business, such an interruption could end their business for good.

This is more of an issue when you consider that a vast majority of small businesses do not have a business continuity plan nor have they undertaken any disaster preparedness efforts.

Originally created for use in Latin America and the Caribbean, the app was funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance.

About FIU Foundation, Inc.

The Florida International University Foundation, Inc. (FIU Foundation) was established in 1969 to encourage, solicit, receive and administer gifts for scientific, educational and charitable purposes for the advancement of Florida International University and its objectives. (more +)

Thank you to everyone who made it out to our first home Panther Fan Tailgate over the weekend! We hope to see you all this Saturday, 9/14, for our next one before FIU takes on UNH! Register now: https://t.co/g4aFGg288fhttps://t.co/UImdKTeXSp3 days ago 3 8